Description
Islington Council is seeking skilled and committed practitioners to join the Becoming A Man (BAM) team as Counsellors working directly with young people in secondary schools.
The BAM programme is a school-based counselling and mentoring programme that supports boys aged 12–16 to develop social-emotional skills, strengthen relationships, and make positive choices about their future. As a BAM Counsellor, you will build trusted relationships with young people and create safe, supportive, and appropriately challenging spaces in which they can reflect, develop, and thrive.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver weekly curriculum-based BAM group counselling sessions (“BAM Circles”).
- Provide individual counselling, mentoring, and support to young people participating in BAM.
- Build strong, trusting relationships with young people and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
- Work collaboratively with school staff, pastoral teams, and other professionals to support young people’s engagement and wellbeing.
- Create safe, engaging, and inclusive environments that support young people’s social-emotional development.
- Maintain accurate records and contribute to programme monitoring, evaluation, and data collection requirements.
- Participate fully in BAM training, coaching, supervision, and reflective practice to support high-quality and consistent programme delivery.
- Follow safeguarding procedures and identify and escalate concerns appropriately.
Requirements:
- Experience working directly with young people in education, youth work, counselling, social care, or community settings.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive, trusting relationships with young people.
- Strong group facilitation, communication, and empathy skills.
- An understanding of trauma-informed, relationship-based, and culturally responsive practice.
- An ability to work effectively and collaboratively with school staff and other professionals.
- A commitment to equality, inclusion, and anti-racist practice.
- A commitment to ongoing professional and personal development, including openness to coaching, feedback, and reflective practice.
- Good organisational skills and the ability to maintain accurate records and contribute to programme monitoring and evaluation.
Benefits:
- Up to 31 days leave per year, increasing to 36 days after five years of local government service
- A range of flexible working arrangements to maintain a healthy work-life balance, as well as a 35-hour working week
- Learning and development opportunities to maximise your potential
- Competitive pay and a commitment to paying all staff the London Living Wage at minimum
- Excellent local government pension scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme and discounted gym memberships
- Local discounts from restaurants, shops, health and beauty therapists, and more!
Salary: GBP 44,331 - 45,696 per year